| "Aunt Thede" | |
|---|---|
| Season 10, Episode #13 Number (#354) in series (635 episodes) | |
| Air date | December 19, 1964 |
| Network | CBS-TV / USA |
| Production code | 10x13 / 1615-0412 |
| Guest stars: | Jeanette Nolan Dyan Cannon Frank Cady James Stacy Howard McNear Hap Glaudi Jenny Lee Aurness |
| Written by: | Kathleen Hite |
| Directed by: | Sutton Roley |
| Episode guide | |
| IMDb |  Aunt Thede
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"Aunt Thede" was the 13th episode of Season 10 of Gunsmoke, also the 354th overall episode of the series. Directed by Sutton Roley, the episode, which was written by Kathleen Hite, was originally broadcast on CBS-TV on December 19, 1964.
| "Aunt Thede" | ||
|---|---|---|
| Also see: | ||
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Synopsis[]
Festus' aunt Thede and a young woman both seek to get married.
Storyline[]
Aunt Theodore "Thede" Haggan (Jeanette Nolan), kinfolk of Festus, comes to Dodge looking for a husband. But when she arrives, she finds out that Festus is a friend of a lawman, which does not set to well with her.
Outside of town, Thede sets up camp. While therem up comes a beautiful young woman named Ivy Norton (Dyan Cannon). Seems the spot she picked out just happens to be where Ivy meets a young man named George Rider (James Stacy). The young people are in love and have to hid the fact from Ivy's father, Webb (Frank Cady). Webb has been trying to find out where the two have been meeting so he can put a stop to them seeing each other.
Festus has already had trouble with Webb Norton when he comes into the camp of Thede. Aunt Thede does not take to kindly to strangers looking at her illegal still, so she shoots at him. All this does is cause Marshal Dillon to find out what is going on at the camp site.
When Matt and Festus arrive, Aunt Thede is performing a marriage ceremony between George and Ivy. She has Webb tied up in a chair making him watch. The ceremony is performed on a 'good book' so as Haggans go -- they are married. But Matt may have something different to say about Preacher Aunt Thede.
Did You Know?[]
Trivia[]
- Jenny Lee Aurness, who plays the part of Laurie in the episode, is the real-life daughter of James Arness.
- As Matt notes, the rifle carried by Aunt Thede is something of a rarity, a Colt Revolving Rifle Model 1855. This was similar in principle to Colt's more famous revolving pistols, but was built as a long arm. Although it was used in the early days of the Civil War, it quickly fell from favor due to its reputation for accidentally firing more than one chamber at a time, putting at risk the shooter's hand that was grasping the forestock or barrel. The introduction of the self-contained metallic cartridge could have solved that problem, but the Colt company in the 1860's did not believe that innovation, which made possible the superior lever action rifles such as the Henry and the Spencer that quickly eclipsed the Model 1855. Having been made in relatively small numbers, Model 1855 rifles are now prized by collectors.
- Three of the cast members in this episode also appeared in the radio version of "Gunsmoke" as regulars: Howard McNear (as Doc), Jeanette Nolan, and Frank Cady.
- Dyan Cannon would marry Cary Grant 7 months after this episode aired.
Goofs[]
- Revealing mistakes
When Festus and Aunt Thede enter the general store Festus puts his hand in the area where glass should be to stop the door.
Soundtracks[]
- The Old Trail - by Rex Koury and Glenn Spencer, Aspen Fair Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
Cast (in credits order)[]
Starring[]
- James Arness as Matt Dillon
- Milburn Stone as Galen "Doc" Adams
- Amanda Blake as Miss Kitty Russell
- Ken Curtis as Festus Haggen
- Burt Reynolds as Quint Asper
Guest starring[]
- Jeanette Nolan as Aunt Thede Haggen, Festus's aunt
- Dyan Cannon as Ivy Norton
- Frank Cady as Webb Norton, Ivy's father
- James Stacy as George Rider
- Howard McNear as Howard
- Hap Glaudi as Townsman
- Jenny Lee Auerness as Laurie
- Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
- Chick Hamilton as Townsman (uncredited)
- Bert Madrid as Townsman on Wagon (uncredited)
- Fred McDougall as Townsman (uncredited)
- Rex Moore as Townsman (uncredited)
- Jimmy Noel as Townsman (uncredited)
- Fred Rapport as Townsman (uncredited)
- Arnold Roberts as Townsman (uncredited)
- Robert Robinson as Townsman (uncredited)